Downlink framework for distributed mimo receivers

ABSTRACT

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a UE. The UE receives N r1  RF signals at N r1  antennas on a first time-frequency resource. The N r1  RF signals carrying L layers of data generated at a base station. N r1  and L are positive integers. L is greater than N r1 . The UE receives N r2  RF signals at the N r2  antennas on a second time-frequency resource. The N r2  RF signals carries the L layers of data. N r2  is a positive integer. The UE obtains N r1  baseband signals from the N r1  RF signals. The UE obtains N r2  baseband signals from the N r2  RF signals. The UE determines the L layers of data based on the N r1  baseband signals and the N r2  baseband signals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/196,249, entitled “DISTRIBUTED HIGH-RANK MIMO RECEIVERS” and filed on Jun. 3, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/253,571, entitled “DOWNLINK FRAMEWORK FOR DISTRIBUTED MIMO RECEIVERS” and filed on Oct. 8, 2021; all of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to techniques of forming distributed MIMO receivers.

Background

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. An example telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with Internet of Things (IoT)), and other requirements. Some aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. There exists a need for further improvements in 5G NR technology. These improvements may also be applicable to other multi-access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ these technologies.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a UE. The UE receives N_(r1) RF signals at N_(r1) antennas on a first time-frequency resource. The N_(r1) RF signals carrying L layers of data generated at a base station. N_(r1) and L are positive integers. L is greater than N_(r1). The UE receives N_(r2) RF signals at the N_(r2) antennas on a second time-frequency resource. The N_(r2) RF signals carries the L layers of data. N_(r2) is a positive integer. The UE obtains N_(r1) baseband signals from the N_(r1) RF signals. The UE obtains N_(r2) baseband signals from the N_(r2) RF signals. The UE determines the L layers of data based on the N_(r1) baseband signals and the N_(r2) baseband signals.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a base station in communication with a UE in an access network.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example logical architecture of a distributed access network.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example physical architecture of a distributed access network.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a DL-centric slot.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an UL-centric slot.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating downlink MIMO transmission.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a first technique of distributed downlink MIMO transmission.

FIG. 9 is a diagram 900 illustrating a second technique of distributed downlink MIMO transmission.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method (process) for receiving multi-layer data.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method (process) for repeating multi-layer data.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

FIG. 13 is another diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Several aspects of telecommunications systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a “processing system” that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

Accordingly, in one or more example aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the aforementioned types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network 100. The wireless communications system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes base stations 102, UEs 104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G Core (5GC)). The base stations 102 may include macrocells (high power cellular base station) and/or small cells (low power cellular base station). The macrocells include base stations. The small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

The base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC 160 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., SI interface). The base stations 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with core network 190 through backhaul links 184. In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 may perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC 160 or core network 190) with each other over backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2 interface). The backhaul links 134 may be wired or wireless.

The base stations 102 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, the small cell 102′ may have a coverage area 110′ that overlaps the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell and macrocells may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include Home Evolved Node Bs (eNBs) (HeNBs), which may provide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication links 120 between the base stations 102 and the UEs 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from a UE 104 to a base station 102 and/or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base station 102 to a UE 104. The communication links 120 may use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and/or transmit diversity. The communication links may be through one or more carriers. The base stations 102/UEs 104 may use spectrum up to X MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use the DL/UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication may be through a variety of wireless D2D communications systems, such as for example, FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

The wireless communications system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 in communication with Wi-Fi stations (STAs) 152 via communication links 154 in a 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum. When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STAs 152/AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

The small cell 102′ may operate in a licensed and/or an unlicensed frequency spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell 102′ may employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102′, employing NR in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, may boost coverage to and/or increase capacity of the access network.

A base station 102, whether a small cell 102′ or a large cell (e.g., macro base station), may include an eNB, gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180 may operate in a traditional sub 6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and/or near mmW frequencies in communication with the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates in mmW or near mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as an mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in the band may be referred to as a millimeter wave. Near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, also referred to as centimeter wave. Communications using the mmW/near mmW radio frequency band (e.g., 3 GHz-300 GHz) has extremely high path loss and a short range. The mmW base station 180 may utilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range.

The base station 180 may transmit a beamformed signal to the UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 108 a. The UE 104 may receive the beamformed signal from the base station 180 in one or more receive directions 108 b. The UE 104 may also transmit a beamformed signal to the base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. The base station 180 may receive the beamformed signal from the UE 104 in one or more receive directions. The base station 180/UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the best receive and transmit directions for each of the base station 180/UE 104. The transmit and receive directions for the base station 180 may or may not be the same. The transmit and receive directions for the UE 104 may or may not be the same.

The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 and the EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to the IP Services 176. The IP Services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service, and/or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functions for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmission, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to the base stations 102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible for session management (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS related charging information.

The core network 190 may include a Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a location management function (LMF) 198, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 and the core network 190. Generally, the SMF 194 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to the IP Services 197. The IP Services 197 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service, and/or other IP services.

The base station may also be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a transmit reception point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology. The base station 102 provides an access point to the EPC 160 or core network 190 for a UE 104. Examples of UEs 104 include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor/actuator, a display, or any other similar functioning device. Some of the UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meter, gas pump, toaster, vehicles, heart monitor, etc.). The UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

Although the present disclosure may reference 5G New Radio (NR), the present disclosure may be applicable to other similar areas, such as LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), or other wireless/radio access technologies.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a base station 210 in communication with a UE 250 in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 may be provided to a controller/processor 275. The controller/processor 275 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller/processor 275 provides RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression/decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

The transmit (TX) processor 216 and the receive (RX) processor 270 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes a physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding/decoding of the transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels, modulation/demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 216 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and/or frequency domain, and then combined together using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 274 may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derived from a reference signal and/or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 250. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a different antenna 220 via a separate transmitter 218TX. Each transmitter 218TX may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

At the UE 250, each receiver 254RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 252. Each receiver 254RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the receive (RX) processor 256. The TX processor 268 and the RX processor 256 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 256 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 250. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 250, they may be combined by the RX processor 256 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 256 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 210. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates computed by the channel estimator 258. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals that were originally transmitted by the base station 210 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller/processor 259, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

The controller/processor 259 can be associated with a memory 260 that stores program codes and data. The memory 260 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 259 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller/processor 259 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

Similar to the functionality described in connection with the DL transmission by the base station 210, the controller/processor 259 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression/decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 258 from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 210 may be used by the TX processor 268 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 268 may be provided to different antenna 252 via separate transmitters 254TX. Each transmitter 254TX may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission. The UL transmission is processed at the base station 210 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 250. Each receiver 218RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 220. Each receiver 218RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 270.

The controller/processor 275 can be associated with a memory 276 that stores program codes and data. The memory 276 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 275 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 250. IP packets from the controller/processor 275 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller/processor 275 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

New radio (NR) may refer to radios configured to operate according to a new air interface (e.g., other than Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiple Access (OFDMA)-based air interfaces) or fixed transport layer (e.g., other than Internet Protocol (IP)). NR may utilize OFDM with a cyclic prefix (CP) on the uplink and downlink and may include support for half-duplex operation using time division duplexing (TDD). NR may include Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) service targeting wide bandwidth (e.g. 80 MHz beyond), millimeter wave (mmW) targeting high carrier frequency (e.g. 60 GHz), massive MTC (mMTC) targeting non-backward compatible MTC techniques, and/or mission critical targeting ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) service.

A single component carrier bandwidth of 100 MHz may be supported. In one example, NR resource blocks (RBs) may span 12 sub-carriers with a sub-carrier bandwidth of 60 kHz over a 0.25 ms duration or a bandwidth of 30 kHz over a 0.5 ms duration (similarly, 50 MHz BW for 15 kHz SCS over a 1 ms duration). Each radio frame may consist of 10 subframes (10, 20, 40 or 80 NR slots) with a length of 10 ms. Each slot may indicate a link direction (i.e., DL or UL) for data transmission and the link direction for each slot may be dynamically switched. Each slot may include DL/UL data as well as DL/UL control data. UL and DL slots for NR may be as described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6 .

The NR RAN may include a central unit (CU) and distributed units (DUs). A NR BS (e.g., gNB, 5G Node B, Node B, transmission reception point (TRP), access point (AP)) may correspond to one or multiple BSs. NR cells can be configured as access cells (ACells) or data only cells (DCells). For example, the RAN (e.g., a central unit or distributed unit) can configure the cells. DCells may be cells used for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity and may not be used for initial access, cell selection/reselection, or handover. In some cases DCells may not transmit synchronization signals (SS) in some cases DCells may transmit SS. NR BSs may transmit downlink signals to UEs indicating the cell type. Based on the cell type indication, the UE may communicate with the NR BS. For example, the UE may determine NR BSs to consider for cell selection, access, handover, and/or measurement based on the indicated cell type.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example logical architecture of a distributed RAN 300, according to aspects of the present disclosure. A 5G access node 306 may include an access node controller (ANC) 302. The ANC may be a central unit (CU) of the distributed RAN. The backhaul interface to the next generation core network (NG-CN) 304 may terminate at the ANC. The backhaul interface to neighboring next generation access nodes (NG-ANs) 310 may terminate at the ANC. The ANC may include one or more TRPs 308 (which may also be referred to as BSs, NR BSs, Node Bs, 5G NBs, APs, or some other term). As described above, a TRP may be used interchangeably with “cell.”

The TRPs 308 may be a distributed unit (DU). The TRPs may be connected to one ANC (ANC 302) or more than one ANC (not illustrated). For example, for RAN sharing, radio as a service (RaaS), and service specific ANC deployments, the TRP may be connected to more than one ANC. A TRP may include one or more antenna ports. The TRPs may be configured to individually (e.g., dynamic selection) or jointly (e.g., joint transmission) serve traffic to a UE.

The local architecture of the distributed RAN 300 may be used to illustrate fronthaul definition. The architecture may be defined that support fronthauling solutions across different deployment types. For example, the architecture may be based on transmit network capabilities (e.g., bandwidth, latency, and/or jitter). The architecture may share features and/or components with LTE. According to aspects, the next generation AN (NG-AN) 310 may support dual connectivity with NR. The NG-AN may share a common fronthaul for LTE and NR.

The architecture may enable cooperation between and among TRPs 308. For example, cooperation may be preset within a TRP and/or across TRPs via the ANC 302. According to aspects, no inter-TRP interface may be needed/present.

According to aspects, a dynamic configuration of split logical functions may be present within the architecture of the distributed RAN 300. The PDCP, RLC, MAC protocol may be adaptably placed at the ANC or TRP.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example physical architecture of a distributed RAN 400, according to aspects of the present disclosure. A centralized core network unit (C CU) 402 may host core network functions. The C-CU may be centrally deployed. C CU functionality may be offloaded (e.g., to advanced wireless services (AWS)), in an effort to handle peak capacity. A centralized RAN unit (C-RU) 404 may host one or more ANC functions. Optionally, the C-RU may host core network functions locally. The C-RU may have distributed deployment. The C-RU may be closer to the network edge. A distributed unit (DU) 406 may host one or more TRPs. The DU may be located at edges of the network with radio frequency (RF) functionality.

FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 showing an example of a DL-centric slot. The DL-centric slot may include a control portion 502. The control portion 502 may exist in the initial or beginning portion of the DL-centric slot. The control portion 502 may include various scheduling information and/or control information corresponding to various portions of the DL-centric slot. In some configurations, the control portion 502 may be a physical DL control channel (PDCCH), as indicated in FIG. 5 . The DL-centric slot may also include a DL data portion 504. The DL data portion 504 may sometimes be referred to as the payload of the DL-centric slot. The DL data portion 504 may include the communication resources utilized to communicate DL data from the scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS) to the subordinate entity (e.g., UE). In some configurations, the DL data portion 504 may be a physical DL shared channel (PDSCH).

The DL-centric slot may also include a common UL portion 506. The common UL portion 506 may sometimes be referred to as an UL burst, a common UL burst, and/or various other suitable terms. The common UL portion 506 may include feedback information corresponding to various other portions of the DL-centric slot. For example, the common UL portion 506 may include feedback information corresponding to the control portion 502. Non-limiting examples of feedback information may include an ACK signal, a NACK signal, a HARQ indicator, and/or various other suitable types of information. The common UL portion 506 may include additional or alternative information, such as information pertaining to random access channel (RACH) procedures, scheduling requests (SRs), and various other suitable types of information.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the end of the DL data portion 504 may be separated in time from the beginning of the common UL portion 506. This time separation may sometimes be referred to as a gap, a guard period, a guard interval, and/or various other suitable terms. This separation provides time for the switch-over from DL communication (e.g., reception operation by the subordinate entity (e.g., UE)) to UL communication (e.g., transmission by the subordinate entity (e.g., UE)). One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the foregoing is merely one example of a DL-centric slot and alternative structures having similar features may exist without necessarily deviating from the aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a diagram 600 showing an example of an UL-centric slot. The UL-centric slot may include a control portion 602. The control portion 602 may exist in the initial or beginning portion of the UL-centric slot. The control portion 602 in FIG. 6 may be similar to the control portion 502 described above with reference to FIG. 5 . The UL-centric slot may also include an UL data portion 604. The UL data portion 604 may sometimes be referred to as the pay load of the UL-centric slot. The UL portion may refer to the communication resources utilized to communicate UL data from the subordinate entity (e.g., UE) to the scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS). In some configurations, the control portion 602 may be a physical DL control channel (PDCCH).

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the end of the control portion 602 may be separated in time from the beginning of the UL data portion 604. This time separation may sometimes be referred to as a gap, guard period, guard interval, and/or various other suitable terms. This separation provides time for the switch-over from DL communication (e.g., reception operation by the scheduling entity) to UL communication (e.g., transmission by the scheduling entity). The UL-centric slot may also include a common UL portion 606. The common UL portion 606 in FIG. 6 may be similar to the common UL portion 506 described above with reference to FIG. 5 . The common UL portion 606 may additionally or alternatively include information pertaining to channel quality indicator (CQI), sounding reference signals (SRSs), and various other suitable types of information. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the foregoing is merely one example of an UL-centric slot and alternative structures having similar features may exist without necessarily deviating from the aspects described herein.

In some circumstances, two or more subordinate entities (e.g., UEs) may communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Real-world applications of such sidelink communications may include public safety, proximity services, UE-to-network relaying, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, Internet of Everything (IoE) communications, IoT communications, mission-critical mesh, and/or various other suitable applications. Generally, a sidelink signal may refer to a signal communicated from one subordinate entity (e.g., UE1) to another subordinate entity (e.g., UE2) without relaying that communication through the scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS), even though the scheduling entity may be utilized for scheduling and/or control purposes. In some examples, the sidelink signals may be communicated using a licensed spectrum (unlike wireless local area networks, which typically use an unlicensed spectrum).

FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating downlink MIMO transmission. In this example, a base station 702 has 8 antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8 and a UE 704 has 4 antennas 780-1, 780-2, 780-3, 780-4. Signals concurrently transmitted from the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8 of the base station 702 are received at the antennas 780-1, 780-2, 780-3, 780-4 of the UE 704.

In this example, the base station 702 may generate 8 layers baseband data signals x₁, x₂, . . . , x₈, which can be represented by a vector:

$X_{8 \times 1} = {\begin{bmatrix} x_{1} \\ x_{2} \\  \vdots \\ x_{8} \end{bmatrix}.}$

A precoder 720 maps the 8 layers baseband data signals x₁, x₂, . . . , x₈ to the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8, generating 8 superimposed baseband signals s₁, s₂, . . . , s₈ to be transmitted at the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8, respectively. This process can be represented as

$S_{8 \times 1} = {\begin{bmatrix} s_{1} \\ s_{2} \\  \vdots \\ s_{8} \end{bmatrix} = {{P_{8 \times 8}\begin{bmatrix} x_{1} \\ x_{2} \\  \vdots \\ x_{8} \end{bmatrix}}.}}$

The 8 superimposed baseband signals s₁, s₂, . . . , s₈ are mixed with RF carriers to generate 8 RF signals, which are to then transmitted at the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8.

The UE 704 receives, at the antennas 780-1, 780-2, 780-3, 780-4, the RF signals transmitted from the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8 of the base station 702. The UE 704 removes the RF carriers from the RF signals received, and generates baseband signals

$R_{4 \times 1} = \begin{bmatrix} r_{1} \\ r_{2} \\ r_{3} \\ r_{4} \end{bmatrix}$

corresponding to the antennas 780-1, 780-2, 780-3, 780-4.

Further, the channel between the base station 702 and the UE 704 may be represented as H_(4×8).

$H_{4 \times 8} = {\begin{bmatrix} H_{11} & H_{12} & \ldots & H_{18} \\  \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ H_{41} & H_{42} & \ldots & H_{48} \end{bmatrix}.}$

Accordingly, the relation between R_(4×1) and S_(8×1) can be represented as: R_(4×1)=H_(4×8)·S_(8×1)=H_(4×8)·P_(8×8)·X_(8×1)

In the above example, after receiving R_(4×1), the UE 704 is not able to determine X_(8×1) from R_(4×1), as X_(8×1) has 8 layers and the rank of H_(4×8) is at most 4. Accordingly, in this configuration, the base station 702 at most can transmit 4 layers of data to the UE 704, and cannot reach maximum MIMO gain with 8 antennas.

In some other examples, the base station 702 may have N_(t) antennas and the UE 704 may have N_(r) antennas. The rank N of the channel H between the base station 702 and the UE 704 is constrained so that:

1≤N≤min(N _(t) ,N _(r)).

Accordingly, when the base station 702 transmits L layers of data signals, the UE 704 may determine the L layers of data signals if L≤N.

FIG. 8 is a diagram 800 illustrating a first technique of distributed downlink MIMO transmission. In this example, a repeater 806 is placed between the base station 702 and the UE 704 shown in FIG. 7 . As described infra, the repeater 806 receives RF signals on a first frequency band, shifts the RF carrier of the RF signals to a second frequency band, and then transmits the shifted RF signals on the second frequency band. Each frequency band is an interval in frequency domain. In particular, the repeater 806 may be a frequency translating repeater. The repeater 806 may also be a time delaying repeater, which receive RF signals and then re-transmit the received RF signals after some time delay. Further, the repeater 806 may receive RF signals in a first time-frequency resource, translate the received RF signals to a second time-frequency resource, and then transmit the translated RF signals. In particular, the first time-frequency resource may be orthogonal with the second time-frequency resource.

In this example, As described supra, the base station 702 transmits RF signals at the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8 carrying the 8 superimposed baseband signals s₁, s₂, . . . , s₈, respectively. The UE 704 receives the RF signals through a channel 820, which can be represented as H₁. The UE 704 may be considered as a master device. The repeater 806 may be considered as a slave device. The repeater 806 may be a UE, a wireless router, or another wireless device that performs the functions infra.

In this example, the repeater 806 has 4 antennas. In other examples, the repeater 806 may have other number of antennas. In the first technique, the UE 704 and the repeater 806 may function as a distributed high-rank MIMO receiver. As described supra, the base station 702 generates the 8 layers baseband data signals x₁, x₂, . . . , x₈ (i.e., X_(8×1)). The precoder 720 maps the 8 layers baseband data signals x₁, x₂, . . . , x₈ to the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8 to generate the 8 superimposed baseband signals s₁, s₂, . . . , s₈ (i.e., S_(8×1)), which can be represented as: S_(8×1)=P_(8×8)·X_(8×1).

Further, the base station 702 mix the S_(8×1) with RF carriers in a frequency band f₁, and transmits the resulting RF signals at the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8. The UE 704 receives the RF signals transmitted from the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8. The UE 704 removes the RF carriers from the received RF signals and obtains baseband signals:

$R_{1_{4 \times 1}} = {\begin{bmatrix} r_{1_{1}} \\ r_{1_{2}} \\ r_{1_{3}} \\ r_{1_{4}} \end{bmatrix} = {H_{1_{4 \times 8}} \cdot P_{8 \times 8} \cdot X_{8 \times 1}}}$

Further, in this example, the 4 antennas of the repeater 806 receive the RF signals transmitted at the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8 on the frequency band f₁ through a channel 822, which can be represented as H₂ _(4×8) . At the repeater 806, the baseband signals, if extracted from the RF signals received at the antennas of the repeater 806, can be represented as: H₂ _(4×8) ·P_(8×8)·X_(8×1). The repeater 806 can amplify and forward the RF signals received. The impact, of the amplification and forwarding, to the baseband signals can be represented as G_(s) _(4×4) . Further, the repeater 806 shifts or translates the frequency of the RF carrier to a frequency band f₂. The impact, of the frequency shifting, to the baseband signals can be represented as T. The repeater 806 transmits RF signals on the frequency band f₂ at the 4 antennas of the repeater 806. As such, the RF signals transmitted by the repeater 806 carries the baseband signals

T·G _(s) _(4×4) ·H ₂ _(4×8) ·P _(8×8) ·X _(8×1)

In this example, the 4 antennas of the UE 704 receive, on the frequency band f₂, the RF signals transmitted at the repeater 806 through the channel 824, which can be represented as H₃ _(4×4) . The UE 704 obtains baseband signals from the RF signals on the frequency band f₂:

R ₂ _(4×1) =H ₃ _(4×4) ·T·G _(s) _(4×4) ·H ₂ _(4×8) ·P _(8×8) ·X _(8×1)

The frequency band f₁ and frequency band f₂ are non-overlapping bands and the mapping from frequency band f₁ to frequency band f₂ is pre-defined or can be signaled to the UE 704 by the base station 702.

The UE 704 can join R₁ _(4×1) and R₂ _(4×1) to obtain:

$\begin{matrix} {R_{8 \times 1} = {\begin{bmatrix} R_{1_{4 \times 1}} \\ R_{2_{4 \times 1}} \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} {H_{1_{4 \times 8}} \cdot P_{8 \times 8} \cdot X_{8 \times 1}} \\ {H_{3_{4 \times 4}} \cdot T \cdot G_{s} \cdot H_{2_{4 \times 8}} \cdot P_{8 \times 8} \cdot X_{8 \times 1}} \end{bmatrix}}} \\ {= {\begin{bmatrix} \left\lbrack {H_{1_{4 \times 8}} \cdot P_{8 \times 8}} \right\rbrack_{4 \times 8} \\ {H_{3_{4 \times 4}} \cdot T \cdot G_{s} \cdot \left\lbrack {H_{2_{4 \times 8}} \cdot P_{8 \times 8}} \right\rbrack_{4 \times 8}} \end{bmatrix} \cdot X_{8 \times 1}}} \end{matrix}$

The matrix

$Q_{8 \times 8} = \begin{bmatrix} \left\lbrack {H_{1_{4 \times 8}} \cdot P_{8 \times 8}} \right\rbrack_{4 \times 8} \\ {H_{3_{4 \times 4}} \cdot T \cdot G_{s} \cdot \left\lbrack {H_{2_{4 \times 8}} \cdot P_{8 \times 8}} \right\rbrack_{4 \times 8}} \end{bmatrix}$

has a rank 8. As such, based on the equation R_(8×1)=Q_(8×8)·X_(8×1), the UE 704 can determine 8 layers baseband data signals x₁, x₂, . . . , x₈.

FIG. 9 is a diagram 900 illustrating a second technique of distributed downlink MIMO transmission. Comparing with the example of FIG. 8 , in addition to the repeater 806, another repeater 908 is placed between the base station 702 and the UE 704 in this example.

Similar to what was described supra referring to FIG. 8 , in this example, the 4 antennas of the repeater 806 receives the RF signals transmitted at the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8 on the frequency band f₁ through a channel 922, which can be represented as H₂ _(4×8) . At the repeater 806, the baseband signals, if extracted from the RF signals received at the antennas of the repeater 806, can be represented as: H₂ _(4×8) ·P_(8×8)·X_(8×1). The repeater 806 can amplify and forward the received RF signals. The impact, of the amplification and forwarding, to the baseband signals can be represented as G_(s) _(4×4) ². Further, the repeater 806 shifts the frequency of the RF carrier from the frequency band f₁ to a frequency band f_(2,2). The impact, of the frequency shifting, to the baseband signals can be represented as T². The repeater 806 transmits RF signals on the frequency band f_(2,2) at the 4 antennas of the repeater 806. As such, the RF signals transmitted by the repeater 806 carries the baseband signals

T ² ·G _(s) _(4×4) ² ·H ₂ _(4×8) ·P _(8×8) ·X _(8×1)

Further, the 4 antennas of the UE 704 receive, on the frequency band f_(2,2), the RF signals transmitted at the repeater 806 through the channel 924, which can be represented as H₄ _(4×4) . The UE 704 obtains baseband signals R₂ _(4×1) from the RF signals on the frequency band f_(2,2):

R ₂ _(4×1) =H ₄ _(4×4) ·T ² ·G _(s) _(4×4) ² ·H ₂ _(4×8) ·P _(8×8) ·X _(8×1)

Further, in this example, the repeater 908 has 4 antennas. The 4 antennas of the repeater 908 receives the RF signals transmitted at the antennas 710-1, 710-2, . . . 710-8 on the frequency band f₁ through a channel 921, which can be represented as H₁ _(4×8) . At the repeater 908, the baseband signals, if extracted from the RF signals received at the antennas of the repeater 908, can be represented as: H₁ _(4×8) ·P_(8×8)·X_(8×1). The repeater 908 can amplify and forward the RF signals received. The impact, of the amplification and forwarding, to the baseband signals can be represented as G_(s) _(4×4) ¹. Further, the repeater 908 shifts the frequency of the RF carrier from the frequency band f₁ to a frequency band f_(2,1). The impact, of the frequency shifting, to the baseband signals can be represented as T¹. The repeater 908 transmits RF signals on the frequency band f_(2,1) at the 4 antennas of the repeater 908. As such, the RF signals transmitted by the repeater 908 carries the baseband signals

T ¹ ·G _(s) _(4×4) ¹ ·H ₁ _(4×8) ·P _(8×8) ·X _(8×1)

Further, the 4 antennas of the UE 704 receive, on the frequency band f_(2,1), the RF signals transmitted at the repeater 908 through the channel 923, which can be represented as H₃ _(4×4) . The UE 704 obtains baseband signals from the RF signals on the frequency band f_(2,1):

R ₁ _(4×1) =H ₃ _(4×4) ·T ¹ ·G _(s) _(4×4) ¹ ·H ₁ _(4×8) ·P _(8×8) ·X _(8×1)

The frequency band f_(2,1) and the frequency band f_(2,2) are non-overlapping frequency bands and are orthogonal with each other. Further, at least one of the frequency band f_(2,1) and the frequency band f_(2,2) is not overlapping or is orthogonal with the frequency band f₁. The mapping from the frequency band f₁ to the frequency band f_(2,1) and the mapping from the frequency band f₁ to the frequency band f_(2,2) may be pre-defined or may be signaled to the UE 704 by the base station 702.

The UE 704 can join R₁ _(4×1) and R₂ _(4×1) to obtain:

$\begin{matrix} {R_{8 \times 1} = \begin{bmatrix} R_{1_{4 \times 1}} \\ R_{2_{4 \times 1}} \end{bmatrix}} \\ {= \begin{bmatrix} {H_{3_{4 \times 4}} \cdot} & {T^{1} \cdot} & {G_{S_{4 \times 4}}^{1} \cdot} & {H_{1_{4 \times 8}} \cdot} & {P_{8 \times 8} \cdot} & X_{8 \times 1} \\ {H_{4_{4 \times 4}} \cdot} & {T^{2} \cdot} & {G_{S_{4 \times 4}}^{2} \cdot} & {H_{2_{4 \times 8}} \cdot} & {P_{8 \times 8} \cdot} & X_{8 \times 1} \end{bmatrix}} \\ {= {\left\lbrack \begin{matrix} {H_{3_{4 \times 4}} \cdot T^{1} \cdot G_{S_{4 \times 4}}^{1} \cdot \left\lbrack {H_{1_{4 \times 8}} \cdot P_{8 \times 8}} \right\rbrack_{4 \times 8}} \\ {H_{4_{4 \times 4}} \cdot T^{2} \cdot G_{S_{4 \times 4}}^{2} \cdot \left\lbrack {H_{2_{4 \times 8}} \cdot P_{8 \times 8}} \right\rbrack_{4 \times 8}} \end{matrix} \right\rbrack \cdot X_{8 \times 1}}} \end{matrix}$

The matrix

$Q_{8 \times 8}^{*} = \begin{bmatrix} {H_{3_{4 \times 4}} \cdot} & {T^{1} \cdot G_{S_{4 \times 4}}^{1} \cdot} & \left\lbrack {H_{1_{4 \times 8}} \cdot} \right. & \left. P_{8 \times 8} \right\rbrack_{4 \times 8} \\ {H_{4_{4 \times 4}} \cdot} & {T^{2} \cdot G_{S_{4 \times 4}}^{2} \cdot} & \left\lbrack {H_{2_{4 \times 8}} \cdot} \right. & \left. P_{8 \times 8} \right\rbrack_{4 \times 8} \end{bmatrix}$

has a rank 8. As such, based on the equation R_(8×1)=Q_(8×8)*·X_(8×1), the UE 704 can determine 8 layers baseband data signals x₁, x₂, . . . , x₈.

In general, multiple distributed low-rank mobile terminals (MTs) or wireless devices can form a high-rank MIMO receiver MT. In one scenario, there are one master MT and K slave MTs, which are represented as MT_(k) (1≤k≤K)). L layers of data signals are transmitted from the network. The value of L is upper bounded by the number of transmission antennas at the transmitter and the total number of receive antennas of all the slave MTs and the master MT; L may be greater than the number of receive antennas at the master MT. A given slave MT_(k) amplifies and forwards signals received from the transmitter on a frequency band f₁. The MT_(k) translates the amplified/forwarded signals to another frequency band f_(2,k) and transmits the translated signals to the master MT on the frequency band f_(2,k).

FIG. 10 is a flow chart 1000 of a method (process) for receiving multi-layer data. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., the UE 704). At operation 1002, the UE receives N_(r1) RF signals at N_(r1) antennas on a first time-frequency resource. The N_(r1) RF signals carries L layers of data generated at a base station. N_(r1) and L are positive integers. L is greater than N_(r1). At operation 1004, the UE receives N_(r2) RF signals at the N_(r2) antennas on a second time-frequency resource. The N_(r2) RF signals carry the L layers of data. N_(r2) is a positive integer. In certain configurations, the N_(r1) RF signals and the N_(r2) RF signals are received in the same time slot. In certain configurations, the first time-frequency resource does not overlap with the second time-frequency resource. In certain configurations, the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource are in two non-overlapped bands, in two non-overlapped component carriers, or in two non-overlapped sets of resource blocks within a component carrier.

In certain configurations, the N_(r1) RF signals are received from the base station. The N_(r2) RF signals are received from a repeater. In certain configurations, the UE determines that the N_(r1) RF signals are originated from N_(t) RF signals transmitted at N_(t) antennas of the base station. N_(t) is a positive integer and greater than N_(r). In certain configurations, the UE determines that the N_(r2) RF signals are originated from N_(t2) RF signals transmitted at N_(t2) antennas of the repeater. The N_(r1) RF signals are received from a first repeater. The N_(r2) RF signals are a received from a second repeater.

At operation 1006, the UE obtains N_(r1) baseband signals from the N_(r1) RF signals. At operation 1008, the UE obtains N_(r2) baseband signals from the N_(r2) RF signals. At operation 1010, the UE determines the L layers of data based on the N_(r1) baseband signals and the N_(r2) baseband signals.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart 1100 of a method (process) for repeating multi-layer data. The method may be performed by a wireless device (e.g., the repeater 806). At operation 1102, the wireless device receives M_(r) RF signals at M_(r) antennas on a first time-frequency resource, the M_(r) RF signals carrying L layers of data generated at a base station, M_(r) and L being positive integers, L being greater than M_(r). At operation 1104, the wireless device amplifies and forwards the M_(r) RF signals to generate M_(t) amplified and forwarded signals. At operation 1106, the wireless device shifts carrier frequency of the M_(t) amplified and forwarded signals to the second time-frequency resource to generate the M_(t) RF signals. At operation 1108, the wireless device transmits M_(t) RF signals at M_(t) antennas on a second time-frequency resource, the M_(t) RF signals carrying the L layers of data. In certain configurations, the M_(r) RF signals are originated from RF signals transmitted from the base station.

FIG. 12 is a diagram 1200 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1202 employing a processing system 1214. The apparatus 1202 may be a UE (e.g., the UE 704). The processing system 1214 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by a bus 1224. The bus 1224 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 1214 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1224 links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by one or more processors 1204, a reception component 1264, a transmission component 1270, a time-frequency reception control component 1276, a multi-layer data processing component 1278, and a computer-readable medium/memory 1206. The bus 1224 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, etc.

The processing system 1214 may be coupled to a transceiver 1210, which may be one or more of the transceivers 354. The transceiver 1210 is coupled to one or more antennas 1220, which may be the communication antennas 352.

The transceiver 1210 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 1210 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 1220, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1214, specifically the reception component 1264. In addition, the transceiver 1210 receives information from the processing system 1214, specifically the transmission component 1270, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 1220.

The processing system 1214 includes one or more processors 1204 coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory 1206. The one or more processors 1204 are responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory 1206. The software, when executed by the one or more processors 1204, causes the processing system 1214 to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory 1206 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the one or more processors 1204 when executing software. The processing system 1214 further includes at least one of the reception component 1264, the transmission component 1270, the time-frequency reception control component 1276, and the multi-layer data processing component 1278. The components may be software components running in the one or more processors 1204, resident/stored in the computer readable medium/memory 1206, one or more hardware components coupled to the one or more processors 1204, or some combination thereof. The processing system 1214 may be a component of the UE 350 and may include the memory 360 and/or at least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the communication processor 359.

In one configuration, the apparatus 1202/apparatus 1202′ for wireless communication includes means for performing each of the operations of FIG. 10 . The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 1202 and/or the processing system 1214 of the apparatus 1202 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

As described supra, the processing system 1214 may include the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor 356, and the communication processor 359. As such, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor 356, and the communication processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

FIG. 13 is a diagram 1300 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1302 employing a processing system 1314. The apparatus 1302 may be a wireless device (e.g., the repeater 806). The processing system 1314 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by a bus 1324. The bus 1324 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 1314 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1324 links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by one or more processors 1304, a reception component 1364, a transmission component 1370, a amplifying and forwarding component 1376, a frequency shifting component 1378, and a computer-readable medium/memory 1306. The bus 1324 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, etc.

The processing system 1314 may be coupled to a transceiver 1310, which may be one or more of the transceivers 354. The transceiver 1310 is coupled to one or more antennas 1320, which may be the communication antennas 352.

The transceiver 1310 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 1310 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 1320, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1314, specifically the reception component 1364. In addition, the transceiver 1310 receives information from the processing system 1314, specifically the transmission component 1370, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 1320.

The processing system 1314 includes one or more processors 1304 coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory 1306. The one or more processors 1304 are responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory 1306. The software, when executed by the one or more processors 1304, causes the processing system 1314 to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory 1306 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the one or more processors 1304 when executing software. The processing system 1314 further includes at least one of the reception component 1364, the transmission component 1370, the amplifying and forwarding component 1376, and the frequency shifting component 1378. The components may be software components running in the one or more processors 1304, resident/stored in the computer readable medium/memory 1306, one or more hardware components coupled to the one or more processors 1304, or some combination thereof. The processing system 1314 may be a component of the UE 350 and may include the memory 360 and/or at least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the communication processor 359.

In one configuration, the apparatus 1302/apparatus 1302′ for wireless communication includes means for performing each of the operations of FIG. 10 . The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 1302 and/or the processing system 1314 of the apparatus 1302 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

As described supra, the processing system 1314 may include the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor 356, and the communication processor 359. As such, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor 356, and the communication processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flowcharts disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flowcharts may be rearranged. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” and the like may not be a substitute for the word “means.” As such, no claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wireless communication of a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving N_(r1) RF signals at N_(r1) antennas on a first time-frequency resource, the N_(r1) RF signals carrying L layers of data generated at a base station, N_(r1) and L are positive integers, L being greater than N_(r1); receiving N_(r2) RF signals at the N_(r2) antennas on a second time-frequency resource, the N_(r2) RF signals carrying the L layers of data, N_(r2) being a positive integer; obtaining N_(r1) baseband signals from the N_(r1) RF signals; obtaining N_(r2) baseband signals from the N_(r2) RF signals; and determining the L layers of data based on the N_(r1) baseband signals and the N_(r2) baseband signals.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the N_(r1) RF signals and the N^(r2) RF signals are received in the same time slot.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time-frequency resource does not overlap with the second time-frequency resource.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource are in two non-overlapped bands, in two non-overlapped component carriers, or in two non-overlapped sets of resource blocks within a component carrier.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the N_(r1) RF signals are received from the base station, wherein the N_(r2) RF signals are received from a repeater.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining that the N_(r1) RF signals are originated from N_(t) RF signals transmitted at N_(t) antennas of the base station, N_(t) being a positive integer and greater than N_(r).
 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining that the N_(r2) RF signals are originated from N_(t2) RF signals transmitted at N_(t2) antennas of the repeater.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the N_(r1) RF signals are received from a first repeater, wherein the N_(r2) RF signals are a received from a second repeater.
 9. A method of wireless communication of a wireless device, comprising: receiving M_(r) RF signals at M_(r) antennas on a first time-frequency resource, the M_(r) RF signals carrying L layers of data generated at a base station, M_(r) and L being positive integers, L being greater than M_(r); and transmitting M_(t) RF signals at M_(t) antennas on a second time-frequency resource, the M_(t) RF signals carrying the L layers of data.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: amplifying and forwarding the M_(r) RF signals to generate M_(t) amplified and forwarded signals; shifting carrier frequency of the M_(t) amplified and forwarded signals to the second time-frequency resource to generate the M_(t) RF signals.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the M_(r) RF signals are originated from RF signals transmitted from the base station.
 12. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus being a user equipment (UE), comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive N_(r1) RF signals at N_(r1) antennas on a first time-frequency resource, the N_(r1) RF signals carrying L layers of data generated at a base station, N_(r1) and L are positive integers, L being greater than N_(r1); receive N_(r2) RF signals at the N_(r2) antennas on a second time-frequency resource, the N_(r2) RF signals carrying the L layers of data, N_(r2) being a positive integer; obtain N_(r1) baseband signals from the N_(r1) RF signals; obtain N_(r2) baseband signals from the N_(r2) RF signals; and determine the L layers of data based on the N_(r1) baseband signals and the N_(r2) baseband signals.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the N_(r1) RF signals and the N_(r2) RF signals are received in the same time slot.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first time-frequency resource does not overlap with the second time-frequency resource.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource are in two non-overlapped bands, in two non-overlapped component carriers, or in two non-overlapped sets of resource blocks within a component carrier.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the N₁ RF signals are received from the base station, wherein the N_(r2) RF signals are received from a repeater.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine that the N_(r1) RF signals are originated from N_(t) RF signals transmitted at N_(t) antennas of the base station, N_(t) being a positive integer and greater than M_(r).
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine that the N_(r2) RF signals are originated from N_(t2) RF signals transmitted at N_(t2) antennas of the repeater.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the N_(r1) RF signals are received from a first repeater, wherein the N_(r2) RF signals are a received from a second repeater. 